AEF To Honor Mina and Hacob Shirvanian

GLENDALE—The Armenian Educational Foundation will honor Hacob and Mina Shirvanian with the Lifetime Service Award at AEF’s 60th Anniversary Gala on November 6, 2010. The Shirvanians hold the distinction of being the longest serving members of the AEF. For 50 years, they have actively participated and supported the organization, both of them serving on AEF’s Board of Directors. The Shirvanians have been instrumental in helping AEF successfully achieve its mission of providing financial assistance to Armenian students and educational institutions. It was under Hacob Shirvanian’s presidency that the funding was raised and the vision became a reality in establishing the AEF Chair in Modern Armenian History at UCLA.

The Shirvanians have not only volunteered countless hours in support of AEF’s programs, but also are major contributors to AEF’s projects. They have financed the renovation of five schools in Armenia, Artsakh, and Javakhk, purchased computers and school supplies and sponsored numerous scholarships. Since the independence of Armenia, the Shirvanians have returned to the homeland on numerous occasions, visited AEF renovated schools, continued to provide financial support to those schools and participated in the disbursement of scholarships.

Since arriving in Los Angeles in 1956, the Shirvanians have been very active in the Armenian community life. Mina Shirvanian helped establish the Armenian Society of Los Angeles (Iranahye) and was one of its first presidents. Hacob Shirvanian served several years as the Vice President of the Ferrahian High School Board of Governors. They have supported numerous organizations, including the Western Prelacy Of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America, Ferrahian High School, Armenian National Committee, Armenian Relief Society, Armenia Fund, and many others.
For their service to the community, the Shirvanians have been recognized by Catholicos Karekin II with the Knight of Cilicia Award and Catholicos Aram I with the Prince of Cilicia Award. The Shirvanians were presented Republic of Nagorno-Karabakh’s highest civilian medal by Former Karabakh President, Arkady Ghukasian. They were also honored by the ANCA Western Region with the Legacy Award and the Adventist Hospital Foundation with the Philanthropy Award.

The Shirvanians have also been active in U.S. politics. Mr. Shirvanian has the distinction of being the only Armenian who was appointed by five consecutive governors – Ronald Reagan, Jerry Brown, George Deukmejian, Pete Wilson and Gray Davis – to various state boards and commissions.

The AEF 60th Anniversary Banquet will be held on Saturday, November 6th at the new Ritz Carlton/JW Marriot at LA Live in downtown Los Angeles. For more information, sponsorship opportunities or tickets, please contact Diane Cabraloff at (310) 729-1552 or Melody Petrossian at (818) 434-1167.

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